Inner tie rod ends only last realistically about 10,000 miles,become completely unserviceable in 20,000. I am sure chrysler is aware of this poor design/material problem. Additionally, the steering box also has problems with the mounting bushings. Be advised that I have replaced the inner tie rods twice, then the bushings when they became available in after market form. Chrysler, after my many complaints, replaced the tie rod ends(once again) and the steering box due to movement of the box due to bushing wear. Once again, the tie rod bushings need to be replaced. This car now has almost 80,000 miles. Isn't this ridiculous. Having at one time been a front end mechanic I know how dangerous this problem is. The car is a 1996 chrysler lhs. I expect some relief from this.
1996 Chrysler LHS steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 49, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving at a low speed in a parking garage the steering failed and the vehicle could not be turned in either direction. The dealer determined that two half-inch bolts for the inner tie rod broke in the steering rack. The dealer replaced the steering rack and inner tie rod bushing. The consumer has the parts in his possession. *ak
I purchased a used 1996 chrysler lhs in august. When the weather turned cold, I noticed a "knocking" sound in the general vicinity of the right front tire upon turning the steering wheel soon after starting the car. After researching the problem online and being made aware of other similar symptoms that resulted in dangerous loss-of-steering situations, I took my car into my local chrysler service center. The car was diagnosed as having a "bad rack-and-pinion gear assembly."
Vehicle experienced steering wheel failure.*mr (nar) while driving both tie rod bolts broke. This caused the vehicle to continue on a straight path although the consumer was turning the wheel. The consumer feels that since the manufacturer knew about the faulty component that they should reimburse her for the amount of the repair.
Steering wheel has too much play in it due to a failure in the bushing. The bushing needs to be replaced ,but the part is on national back order.
The steering was very sensitive, it took little pressure to change direction of the wheels.
Once exiting the highway and approaching a stop into a driveway the owner heard a popping sound. He was informed that several bolts that go into the steering box had sheered. The vehicle had lost total steering. The owner still has the bolts/broken parts. Please describe details.
While traveling on the highway the vehicle steering column is uncontrollable without prior warning. The steering wheel will wander left to right please fill in additional information. Ts
Consumer noticed when turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, vehicle would not respond to the steering and continued to travel straight. Dealer and manufactured had been notified. Ts a popping noise was also associated with this condition. *tt
According to my independent chrysler mechanic,the steering gear box disintegrated and became completely detached from the steering gear. The front wheels did not respond to the steering wheel; the car had no steering control.
In january 2002 a chrysler certified mechanic put bushings into my steering mechanism. I say put them there because the previous ones (less than 2 years old, had compeltely dissintegrated. In august of this year my husband was approaching the end of a freeway. When he braked to slow down, the bolt on the d side fell off and the steering mechanism fell apart. He was travelling approximately 55mph and had absolutely no control over the car at the moment the steering mechanism fell apart. It is a miracle there was no accident, injuries or deaths as he was swerving from one side of the highway to the other. The d side wheel was completely independent of the steering.
Power steering went out. Dealer determined that bushings on steering rack had worn out.
Power rack and pinion bushing failed to where rack was moving when I turned the wheel giving the driver so much play in the steering it was hard to control the car I assume the front steering linkage which was prematurally worn also contributed to this uncontrollable steering.the left rear trrailing arm completly failed when it rust all the way thru causing the car to be uynsafe to do drive as the axile was splayed out and pushed back. I really give the milage of just 75000 that this was a premature complete failure of the suspension system and a very unsafe condition that could have had serious ramification had I not been able to bring this car under control. As for the A/C evaporator chrysler fixed trhat as well as the transmission and the recalled fuel rail.
While attempting to back into driveway, consumer lost control of the steering, the front wheels were completely independent of the steering wheel, and the front wheels were independent of each other, vehicle was towed and consumer was informed that the steering gear and and tie rod end needed to be replaced.
When going over a bump there is a clunking noise. Also, the steering box moves back and forth. Vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic. Please provide additional information.
Steering has a lot of play, and is very loose. *ak dealer found problem to be with the tierod ends, both inner.
The rack and pinion mounting bushings failed. Nlm
Recall (98v‑184) was completed on the vehicle, however the recall repair is inadequate and the vehicle experienced failure of the fuel rail which cracked and caused fuel leakage, consumer had the repairs completed and request reimbursement for the additional repairs of the fuel system which should have been corrected in the recall repair.
Failed bushings cause steering problems. No replacement part available!
I have been told by other owners that they have had the exact same problems with there lhs. I have bought several sets of tires because of this. Also I was told that the tie rods would wear out again.cost for repairs were 831.47. This is unreasonable for a car so new. I have never had such costly repairs onsuch a new car. This should be a recall. This is definatly a manufacture defect. After new repairs my car is already macking some of the previous sounds.somthing is not right.this could be dangerous.
Rack and pinion steering failed, steering will is not straight and the wheel pops and scrapes when turning the wheel. Nlm
When braking, pedal shakes.
While driving drivers side tie rod end rattling due to tie rod wearing out. Consumer feels that the rod may fall off, and there will be no steering.
There was an extremely loud shutter and shake when this happened. Car does seem to operate the same since this problem. Gas mileage has gone down by three mpg, even after a tune up by chrysler and fuel system cleaning. Shortly after some fuses blew., now at 75,000 there is a lound growning sound when you steer to the left. Brakes have been replaced and need it again. Airconditioner has funny damp smell. How does one find out if this car has been in an accident?
Inside tie rod bushing failed shortly after being saturated with anti-freeze from water pump failure.
Unable to contact manufacturer they were not interested they have no problem contact number or email contact. No safety defect listed in the summary.
After the replacement of cv joint boot, vehicle started to vibrate. Vibration caused the tie rod end bushings to go bad. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and will repair again at the owners expense.
The problem started last year with a cold sqwak noise when steering the car. I had that fixed but the problem started again 9 months later and developed into a major problem. I had the car towed to the dealer because the steering seemed loose and I was having trouble controling it. They replaced the inner ti rods and sent me on my way. I returned the car a few days later after being told by another garage that the steering was still loose under the car. They then told me I needed a new rack and pinion steering replacement. I hesitated and took the car to another chrysler dealer for repairs. They told me the car needed outer ti rod replacement along with a wheel alingment and also that the inner ti rods were not installed properly. They also told me that this problem should have been diagnosed at the original dealership. This could have been a disaster if left to go unrepaired. After some research I found that this is not the only time there has been problems with the steering on these cars. I feel there has been some negligence on the part of the 1st dealer and also chrysler. I notified them after this started and they told me I was on my own. I had the car fixed but I think that this might be a design problem that should be addressed.
Vehicle experienced two difference incidents: first, while traveling on freeway at 70 MPH tie rod end broke, causing loss of steering (no collision or injuries). Second incident occurred while traveling on the freeway at 60 MPH, rack and pinion came locked due to valve failure and caused steering wheel to lock, almost causing a vehicle collision (again no damages to other vehicle or injuries received). On both occasions, repairs was done at consumer's cost. *ak
Car has loose or wandering steering
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